2008 Toyota RAV4 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 92about this part
- Share
- 16%of 575 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,150miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 92 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 16% of the 575 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,150 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving into my garage with foot on the brake the RAV4 started racing very badly, at that point I shut off the engine. I started the engine again and the car acted normal. We took the car to the Toyota dealer, they claim that my car is not on the recall list, and that they can not duplicate the problem. At this point I am terribly afraid to drive the car. What can I do?”
NHTSA complaint #10314666, filed 2010-02, 13,888 miles“As I was coming to a red light, I applied my brakes, but they were not working as usual- not stopping the car quickly. I had them all the way to the floor, finally got the car stopped, but the engine was running so fast and loud. I put the car in neutral, rpms dropped momentarily, went back up. I kept switching back to drive, then to neutral, till the engine began to run normally, not racing.”
NHTSA complaint #10318203, filed 2010-03, 14,000 miles“My 2008 RAV4 SUV suddenly goes to full throttle on its own. I have to put both feet on brake pedal while trying to get the car out of gear. This has happened intermittently since purchasing this SUV new. I have been back to the dealership several times and they can't find a problem. They said that they need to see the car while it is racing up, but I don't know when it will happen and I can't make it happen on will.”
NHTSA complaint #10311457, filed 2010-02, 4,000 miles“I was pulling into my garage. I took my foot off the accelerator and went for the brake and the car suddenly lurched forward and struck a folded deck chair which was pushed through the garage wall.”
NHTSA complaint #10593456, filed 2014-05, 7,048 miles“Acceleration incident parking. Driving into a parking space in chelsea mi, doing a little under 5 MPH the car suddenly surged forward. I applied the brake even harder and the ABS engaged. Fortunately I missed the bmw parked in front. Been driving this car for 19 months and nothing like it occurred before. Toyota dealership I had just been to for a lube change said that my model was not part of the recall but to bring it in if it recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10306727, filed 2010-02, 19,500 milesRelated recalls
- 11V113000Feb 24, 2011Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2006–2010, 4RUNNER 2003–2009, Lexus LX570 2008–2011
Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 8% |
| 2024 | 12 | 7% |
| 2023 | 7 | 4% |
| 2022 | 7 | 5% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 30 | 3% |
| 2018 | 20 | 6% |
| 2017 | 13 | 4% |
| 2016 | 12 | 5% |
| 2015 | 21 | 7% |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% |
| 2013 | 17 | 7% |
| 2012 | 49 | 19% |
| 2011 | 69 | 24% |
| 2010 | 83 | 21% |
| 2009 | 99 | 30% |
| 2008 | 92 | 16% |
| 2007 | 101 | 10% |
| 2006 | 74 | 11% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 20 | 13% |
| 2003 | 29 | 9% |
| 2002 | 36 | 7% |
| 2001 | 22 | 7% |
| 2000 | 7 | 23% |
| 1999 | 14 | 23% |
| 1998 | 12 | 16% |
| 1997 | 7 | 13% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota RAV4
137 complaintsSuspension
81 complaintsSteering
73 complaintsAir bags
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology